Drug formulary decision-making: Ethnographic study of 3 pharmacy and therapeutics committees.

Purpose: An ethnographic study of 3 pharmacy and therapeutics (P&T) committees was conducted to characterize the process by which evidence is weighted and decisions are made.

Methods: We recorded discussions and conducted an analysis of the transcripts from the 3 P&T committees for a 1-year period. We examined the content and ideas expressed during deliberations and synthesized themes to give a broader picture of the issues arising.

A prescription for improving drug formulary decision making.

Gordon Schiff and colleagues present a new tool and checklist to help formularies make decisions about drug inclusion and to guide rational drug use.